A man appeared in court yesterday charged in connection with a shooting near Moneymore, in which a man was left critically injured.

David Colgan of Smith Street in the town is accused of attempted murder and possessing a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life.

The charges relate to the shooting of Malachi Coleman on March 9, who was discovered slumped in a car by a passer-by in a remote area at Cairndaisy Road.

A detective constable told the court that police received a call from a member of the public saying he had discovered the victim in the driver's seat of a BMW car, saying he had been shot in the head.

Mr Coleman was taken to hospital where he was treated in intensive care and was critically ill for some time.

The man who discovered him, told police prior to the incident he had seen a black 4x4-type vehicle at the far end of the laneway and shortly after heard "a loud crack".

Investigations began which led to the arrest of an unnamed male who has since been released on bail.

Then on July 6, police received a report that a black 4x4 belonging to Colgan had been parked up for several months.

Police recovered two pistols and a large quantity of cannabis from the vehicle. Two safes were also located containing a pistol and an unknown white powder.

Efforts began to trace Colgan, but these were unsuccessful.

On July 23, the victim provided a video-recorded interview in which he said Colgan asked to meet him on the night in question and travelled to the scene in his 4x4.

On arrival, he said, Colgan got into the passenger side of the victim's car and asked him to try some white powder, claiming this was cocaine.

Mr Coleman said he leaned toward the central console to look at the powder then heard a loud ringing in his ear and was bleeding heavily.

The victim was unable to provide police with any explanation as to why he had been targeted. There was no fall-out with Colgan in the past, nor any threats or bad feeling.

Colgan was arrested and provided police with a pre-prepared statement, denying any involvement in the incident.

A defence solicitor said: "The gravity of this matter is not lost, but I would argue for the presumption of bail and the presumption of innocence. The offences are denied and that has been made abundantly clear to police."

But describing the case as "deeply disturbing", District Judge John Meehan remanded Colgan in custody until next month.